Keywords:

algae;

biofuels;

electrochemistry;

enzymes;

fuel cells

The inside cover picture shows a microbial fuel cell system for the digest of starch from macro-algae as a source for glucose that is subsequently oxidized to produce electricity. This simple proof-of-concept demonstrated by the group of L. Alfonta et al. on page 1820 ff. may be used for the digest of other complex sugars without the need for the potential fuel to cross the cellular membrane of the microorganism nor for the microorganism to secrete digestive enzymes to the bulk of the solution. Moreover, it demonstrates the potential of macroalgae as a cost effective source of fuel, upon the digest of its starch, cellulose and hemicellulose content.